SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case on Tuesday against a teenage boy accused of raping, buggering, and strangling to death a nine-year-old girl. He was 13 at the time of the incident four years ago.

When the trial resumes in the Westmoreland Circuit Court, two forensic experts in the area of DNA are expected to take the witness stand. One is the head of the forensic lab and also a biology expert. The two were expected to give evidence on Monday but were unavailable.

The prosecution has a total of 14 witnesses, but only eight were called to the stand as the defence and the prosecution agreed on statements from the other six.

It’s not clear if the defence will be calling any witnesses. However, they also have the option of making a no-case submission.

If a no-case submission is not made, both the prosecution and the defence will give their closing remarks, and then Justice Courtney Daye will make his summation.

The accused allegedly sexually assaulted and killed the young girl, whom he knew, after she accepted his invitation to pick apples as they walked home from school on June 5, 2018.

A post-mortem report presented in court last week showed that the child died of asphyxia caused by manual strangulation. She also had lacerations of the vagina and anus.

On Monday, the prosecution called two witnesses to the stand. The first was a senior forensic scientist who had received from the police sealed packages containing samples and items belonging to the victim on June 7, 2018.

The packages contained vaginal and anal swabs as well as samples from the child’s anus and the underwear and other clothing the victim was wearing at the time of her death.

The final testimony came from a detective constable who had taken the items to the Government’s forensic lab and who is responsible for recording evidence at a crime scene.

While on the stand, the detective gave a description of the crime scene. He also identified a navy blue dress taken from the victim’s body, navy blue shorts taken from the crime scene, a merino (undershirt) taken from the victim’s body, as well as red tights and pink underwear taken from the victim’s body during the post-mortem.

The items were entered into evidence as numbered exhibits.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn is leading the prosecution with support from Renelle Morgan and Loriann Thugwell. The defence is led by Denley Saddoo, who is supported by Devon Brown.